Move in Chengdu is seen as the tightening of a government clampdown on churches that reject state control

Despite China's crackdown on religious freedom, the Vatican struck a historic pact with Beijing, drawing sharply divided reactions from members of the clergy and other Catholics. The WSJ investigated. Photo composite: Crystal Tai

By

Eva Dou

BEIJING—China is tightening a clampdown on unregistered Christian churches, with members of a prominent evangelical congregation saying police have detained its activist pastor along with scores of its worshipers.

Officials have threatened to close the Early Rain Covenant Church in the central city of Chengdu by the end of the year in keeping with new religious-management regulations, according to several congregants who said they had been waiting for the net to fall. In coordinated raids starting Sunday night, police detained...